The Labor enquirer., 1887-01-08
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4 psrsaai o~slaas ef tAs LAssv Asvs-
nsnt - tAs Atlantis
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Germans. who have really become th'
avant Rafde Of the movement. TIT
German labor organizations are almos
entirely Socialistic. They have an OK
cellent daily organ. The New-Yorke
volkszeitung, which has educated th'
workin9men in economic questions
With the aid Of this paper it was rem
dered possible to establish daily Eng
lish labor paper. The Leader. which i
still printed on the press Of the Volks
zeitung. The Leader and the volkssei
tun9 are the organs Of the New Yori
Central Labor union.
The Central Labor union is body
composed of trades unions and local as
semblies Of the, KNIGHTS of Labor. The
Knights Of Labor are composed Of many
different elements, comprising Social.
istic. Anarchistic and most conservative
assemblies. But there Is q general in
dignation evinced over the arbitrary
interference Of officers, and especially
General Master Workman Powderly
There is an inclination to're-orgsnize
the order on a more democratic basis
with small salaries, and with as little
power given to officers as possible. The
secret features aud the ridiculous cere-
monies of the order have also caused
much disconteet among its members.
A secret agitation is going on for an i'm, :,
proved mode Of Reorganization.
Unfortunately. the labor press does
not recognize the duty of the hour.
While the capitalistic press does it's ut.
most to bring the order into disrepute,
the labor press is silent out Of awe and
respect for King Powderly. who is obeyed
and idolized. The Socislistic press
alone offers praiseworthy exception.
But the workingmen at large are begin
ming to understand the absurdity of
having king at the head of their or
man endowed with more
arbitrary power than the emperor Of
Germany can boast of. They are begin
ming to learn that it is m impossibility
for an executive officer to satisfactorily
rule the internal affairs Of thousands OF
different organizations. of which he can
possess but an inadequate knowledge. y
Powderly's late remarks on Socialism
were largely commented on by the capi-
talistic press, but they we're severely
criticised by those prominent in the
labor movement.
The New York Herald of December
30 published an interesting interview
with Mr.. E. 8. Shevitsh. formerly editor
Of the Volkszeitung, and present editor
Of the Leader. Mr.. Shevitsh made
The following remarks:
| can't conceive how man like Pow
ieily, who has been member of the
Labor party, and who must
nave card of membership about him
md who must understand the principles
If the Socis listic Labor party, could write
such a letter as that published to-day.
"The Socialistic Labor party does not
believe in force as an offensive measure,
,ut there are individuals in the party
who believe there will be physical
struggle and that when it comes, the
will he on the defensive
nde.
"Of course, Mr.. Powderly, being
OF the Socialistic Labor party,
must know what fhave said to be true.
The Socialistic Labor party believes in
,ducation and organization. and when
he movement has gained sufficient
strength and power, to threaten the
continuance, in power of the ruling
,lasses; then the ruling classes will
ise force to put down the 'laboring
classes. Then the struggle will come"
Mr.. Shevitsh also quoted the follow.
ING. extracts from Mr.. Powderly's let
.er; ~
IL have no respect for the man or men
who will Haunt that accursed red flag
anu advocate the use of the dirk and
bullet for 1854 davs in the year, and who
On the three hundred and sixty-ifth
iav deliberately walk up to the polls
and vote for the continuance Of the sys-
tenn which they denounce." Y
Mr.. Shevitsh continued as follows:
"Mr. Powderly knows that the Social.
lists were the first people who took the
initiative step in the'independent polit-
ical movement, aud that they are the
only people who have consistently voted
against the old parties. Mr.. Powderly
knows that some Of the most active men
in the Knights Of Labor are among the
Socialists. The trades union and labor
in general has been organ
lied bv Socialists.
"The prominent men in the labor
are all Socialists in principle.
even if they have no atiiliation with the
a.
party. They believe In the abolition Of
the wage system and that workingmen
should enjoy the full fruits of their in
dustry.
II notice one thing about Mr.. Pow
derly's letter writing, and that is that no
matter how much capital resorts to force
and shoots down strikers.-as witnessed
on woman and children in Milwaukee
by militia AID the people in st. LOUIS
by detectives-he never denounces